Combination musical instrument case and public address system



Julie 17, 1 1 R. K. PALMER 2,839,606 D COMBINATION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CASE AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM Filed May 22, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR RUNDLETTE K. PALMER ATTORNEYS June 17, 1 8 R. K. PALMER COMBINATION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CASE AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 22, 1956 INVENTOR RUNDL 5T7? K. PALMER ATTORNEYS United States Patent Gfiiiee 2,839,606 Patented June 17, 1958.

CDMBINATIGN MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CASE AND PUBLICADDRESS. SYSTEM ltundiette K. Palmer, Fredericksbnrg, Va.

Application MayZZ, 1956, Serial No. 586,565

SQliaims: (Cl. 179-51) This invention relates to entertainment" equipment and more particularly to a combination musical instrument case and public address system.-

As is well known, itis-now common practice for musicians and other entertainers to utilize a public ad-' dress system'usually includingone or more-microphones,-

an audio amplifier and one or more loudspeakers and also, in a great many instances, stringed instruments are provided with pickups connected to the audio amplhier in'such a manner, that the music from each'instrument is amplified and fedto theloudspeakers; Heretofore,,it has been customary to provide'the amplifiers; loudspeakers, microphones, music racks and' instrument cases as separate units and obviously, this presents a serious and troublesome transportation problem and also, since, it is necessary that all of'the'electrical units be connected together by cables, it is necessaryto packandtransport such cablesand when" connected, the same detract from'the appearance of the installation and also are frequently disconnected; by reason-of theentertainers feet becoming entangled therewith. These numerous cables also present a hazard to the entertainers, in that,

they are frequently tripped over and may well be the It will, therefore, be seen cause of personal injury. that combining of all of the above mentioned units into a single unitary structure which may be easily transported and installed, represent a material step forward in the art.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a combination musical instrument case and public address system which maybe conveniently and economically constructed from readily" available lightweight materials and which serves to transport as' a unit all of the elements ofa public address" system, as well as one musical instrument.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combination musical instrument case andpublic address system in which an extensible andretractable microphone is provided in the instrument case and in which the only external wiring necessary is a power supply line connected. to a receptacle in one wall of theinstrm mentcase; i

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a combination musical instrument case and publicaddress system incorporating an audio amplifier and loudspeaker and in which suitable controls and audio input jacks are provided in order to permit connection" phone, as well as an extensible and retractable music rack: are incorporated in thecase' and'may' be'extended" therefrom when) in operative position, or retractedwithin the ca'sefor transportationand in which the case may beset on the floor-or"on:atable-,' inorder to' provide a complete public address system requiring, only connection'toan electrical outlet, to render'the sameop; erative:

A still further object of the invention isthe provision ofa combinationmusical-instrument"case and public address system in which a-loudspeaker'issecuredwithin the case, therebeing'a grille opening in one side of the case topermit egress ofthe'soun-d' emanating from the loudspeaker; the case providinga baflle for such speaker and there also being'oth'er apertures in the. case to=provide adequate ventilation for cooling. an audio amplifier positioned" therein;

Another object of theinvention is the provision of 'a combination musicalinstrumentcase and public address: systern in which numerous compartments are provided: forreceiving accessoriesand'also" for receiving music or books utilized in connection with the playing of. the musical instrument normally carried in' the instrument case.

Further objectsand: advantages of the invention will' be apparent from the following: description takenxin con-1 junction Wilh'fllfi accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig: 1 is anexploded top plan;view showinga combination musical instrument case and public address system constructed inaccordance withthis invention and. with the cover ofthe-caseopen; and detached, in order. toshow the arrangement'of the various units within the container forming the case;

Fig. 2 a sideelevationalf view of, the invention shown inFig. l and with the musical instrument shown indot-1 ted outline positioned in the carrying case;

Fig; 3 an end elevational viewof themusical instrument case of this invention;

Fig. 4 a fiont' clevational viewofgthe'combination in? strument case and public address system, in the position occupied during use of the same;

Fig: 5 anenlarged" fragmentary perspective view show ing a portion of the support for the musical instrument and the manner in whichthe same is. movable. to provide access tothepublic address system components; and

Fig. 6 anend" elevational, view showing the..instrument case open and the means for preventing opening of'ther' cover beyond a predetermined point;

With continued reference to the drawing there is. shown a combination musical instrument case and public. address system constructed inaccordance with. this inventionand" which may well, comprise a container 10,

constructed of lightweight metal,.such as. aluminum or, ifdesired, thecontainer may be constructed of'any other. suitable material and as. shown, the container 10 is of. generally rectangular-construction and includes, a bot-. tom wall 11, side walls: 12 and 13 and end walls 14. and. 15'; As-best shown in Figs; 1 and 4, the side walls 12'. and 13 may be depressed substantially midway off the length thereof toprovide inwardly extending. portions 16 and 17 and these portions; serve to divide the contain'er 10 into two parts, one of which is intended. to, receive the body ofa stringed instrument, such as, a. guitar, and the other end to receive the neck and head. of the instrument,, as' well as. the components of the, public address. system. There may also be provided. a cover 18 of the same general configuration as the con-- tainer It and the cover 18'may be hingedly mounted on. the side wall 13; by hinges 19, the cover 18, being pro,- vided with suitable latches 20 for. cooperating with latch members 21 on the container 10 to hold the cover, 18.v

in closed position. The cover 18 may also be provided. inwardly thereof, with a pocket 22' for receiving music,

the cover 18. may be opened to permit removal ofthemusical instrument disposed in the Container 10, or for any other purpose, and movement of the cover 18 beyond a predetermined point is prevented by a flexible member 24 connected to the interior of the cover at 25 and to a portion of the container at 26. The rear wall 13 of the container 10 may be provided with suitable supporting feet 27 and similar feet 28 may be pro.- vided on the bottom wall 11.

Spacedpartitions 29 and 30 formed of any suitable material and having a configuration closely conforming to theshape of the body of amusical instrument to be received in the container 10 aresecured to the bottom wall 11 and side walls 12 and 13 adjacent one end of the container 10 and serve to provide a compartment 31 for receiving the body of a musical instrument, such as a guitar; As will be seen from an inspection of Fig. l, the partitions 29 and 30 are curved and since, they contact the .side walls 12 and. 13 at spaced points, there is pro'' vided between these points, compartme nts ,32 and 33' which serve to receive various accessories, such as strings or picks for the musical instrument. As shown in Fig. l, the partitions 29 and 30 terminate substantially midway of the length of the container 10 in spaced parallel portions 34.and 35 for receiving a portion of the neck of the musical instrument disposed in the container 10. A false bottom 36 is disposed in the compartment 31 and as best shown in Fig. 2, the false bottom 36 is provided with an inclined supporting surface 37 engaging and supporting the body of the musical instrument. The false bottom 36 may be loosely placed in the compartment 31 or may be secured therein in any desired manner.

Adjacent the opposite end of the container 10 from the compartment 31, there is provided another compartment 38 defined by upstanding spaced partitions 39 and 40 which are secured to the bottom wall 11 and the adjacent end wall 14 of the container 10. It is to be noted, that the compartment 38 is considerably smaller than the compartment 31 and is of the same general configuration as the head of the musical instrument to be disposed in the container 10.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, a bridge 41 for receiving and supporting the neck of the musical instrument extends between the compartment 31 and the compartment 38 and, as clearly shown in Fig. 5, the bridge 41 comprises a channel member 42 pivotally mounted at 43 on the spaced parallel portions34and 35 of the partitions 29 and 30 and the opposite end of the channel member 42 is provided with pins 44 and 45 which are removably received in notches 46 and 47 in the ends of the partitions 39 and 40 forming the compartment 38 and in this manner, the bridge 41 is supported in a horizontal position to receive and support the neck of the musical instrument and when desired, the bridge 41 may be pivotally moved about the pivotal mounting 43 to provide convenient access beneath the bridge 41 for a purpose to be later described.

As best shown in Fig. 2 in dotted outline, a musical instrument, such as a guitar 48 may be positioned in the container 10 with the body 49 thereof, received in the compartment 31 and supported by the upper surface 37 of the false bottom 36 and with the neck 50 of the instrument extending between the spaced parallel portions 34 and 35 of the partitions 29 and 30 and resting within the channel member 42 forming the bridge 41. The head 51 of the musical intsrument 48 is received in the cornpartment 38 in the container 10. Accordingly, it will be seen that the musical instrument 48 is firmly supported within the container 10 and may be conveniently removed therefrom upon opening of the cover 18, but by reason of the particular configuration of the instrument 4 receiving compartments 31 and 38, as well as the bridge 41 receiving the neck of the instrument, such instrument is maintained against movement within the container 10 during transportation or handling thereof.

As mentioned above, a public address system is included as part of the combination of the musical instrument case of this invention and such public address system may well include an audio amplifier 52 of any suitable design which may be secured to the side wall 13 ot the container 10 in a position substantially opposite the bridge 41. In order to provide electrical power for the amplifier 52, there may be provided a power receptacle 53 in the end wall 14 of the container 10 and such re ceptacle 53 may be connected through a suitable electrical cable 54 with the amplifier 52. The bottom wall 11 of' the container 10 may be provided with a series of apertures 55 in the form of a grille and secured to the hot- 1 v tom wall 11 over such grilleis a suitable loudspeaker 56 and as best shown in Fig. 1, this loudspeaker is disposed directly beneath the pivotally mounted bridge 41. Conse quently, the loudspeaker 56 may be removed for repairs or access thereto may be had for such repairs by simply swinging. the, bridge 41 out of the way, as permitted by the pivotal mounting 43 fully described above.

A depression 57;may be provided in the side Wall 12 of the container 10 and mounted in this depression 57 is a panel 58 which serves to carry controls 59 for the audio amplifier 52, as well as audio input jacks 60 which may be utilized to connect audio input sources, such as the pickups of various musical instruments to the audio amplifier 52. There may also be provided in the panel 58, a pilot light 61 which serves to indicate when the amplifier 52 is turned on and the system is ready for operation. There may be a control 59 provided for each input jack 60 and thereby the volume level of the various inputs may be controlled and suitably mixed in the amplifier 52 thereby controlling the volume of sound emanating from the loudspeaker 56 through the grille openings 55. The controls 59 and audio input jacks 60 may be connected to the audio amplifier 52 through suitable electrical cables 62.

While the audio amplifier 52 is intended to receive i-. audio signals directly from pickups mounted on musical instruments, it is also highly desirable, to provide a microphone which may be utilized for making announcements or for singing and consequently, there has been provided as part of this invention, a microphone 63 which may be mounted on a telescoping extensible and retractable stand 64 which in turn is secured to the interior of the container 10 by suitable clamp members 65. The microphone stand 64 extends through an aperture 66 in the side wall 12 of the container 10 and communicating with the aperture 66 and secured to the side wall 12 within the container 10 is a cup-shaped receptacle 67 which serves to receive the microphone 63 when the same is retracted within the container 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the microphone 63 may be extended above the container 10 when the same is setting on the feet 27 secured to the side wall 13 and, of course; the microphone 63 may be positioned at any convenient height for any person utilizing the same.

As a further convenience, there is provided a foldable and collapsible music rack 68 mounted on an extensible and retractable stand 69 which extends through an aperture 70 in the side wall 12 of the container 10 and the stand 69 is secured to the container 10 by suitable clamps 71. A receptacle 72 is secured to the innerside of the side wall 12 of the container 10 in a manner similar to the receptacle 67 and when the music rack 68 is collapsed and retracted, the same is received within the receptacle 72. The music rack 68 is shown in extended operative position in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

For convenience in handling and transportation, the container 10 may be provided with a hand engaging carrying strap or other handle 73 which may be secured to the portions 16 of the sidewall 12 of the container-"10,- as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

The combination musical instrument case and public address system is shown in operative position in Fig. 4, and it will be understood, that the musical instrument has been removed from the container and the container positioned in the desired location resting on the feet 27 and likewise, the microphone 63 and music rack 68 may be raised to the desired position. The control panel 58 will be exposed on the upper side of the container 10 in a position convenient to the musician or other artist and the only external wiring necessary will be the power supply cable connected to the receptacle 63 and any audio input cables which may run from one or more musical instruments to the audio input jacks 60 on the control panel 58.

It will thus be seen, that there has been provided by this invention a completely self-contained musical instru* ment case and public address system and one which may be conveniently transported and utilized at any location where ordinary electrical power is available and which may be conveniently set up for use by' a minimum of effort and requiring a minimum number of external cables thereby precluding the danger of entertainers tripping over such cables and disconnecting the same or damage to the instruments and also minimizing the danger of injury to the entertainers or other persons walking in the vicinity of the installation. As stated above, the instrument case may be formed of lightweight materials and will serve to adequately house the public address system and also a musical instrument for suitable handling and transportation and will, at the same time, provide adequate protection therefor.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination musical instrument case and public address system comprising an elongated container having a bottom wall, side and end walls, a compartment in one end of said container for receiving the body of a stringed musical instrument, said compartment being defined by opposed partitions conforming substantially to the shape of said body and secured to said bottom and side walls, an inclined false bottom in said compartment for supporting said instrument, said partitions terminating substantially midway of the length of said container in spaced parallel portions for receiving a portion of the neck of said instrument, a second compartment in the opposite end of said container for receiving the head of said instrument, said second compartment being defined by spaced partitions secured to said bottom wall and the adjacent end wall, a bridge for receiving and supporting the remaining portion of said neck and comprising a channel member pivotally connected at one end to the parallel portions of said first mentioned partitions and detachably connected at the opposite end to the partitions forming said second compartment, said bridge being swingable to provide access therebeneath, said first mentioned partitions cooperating with said side Walls to provide additional compartments for receiving accessories, an audio amplifier disposed in said container adjacent said bridge and secured to one side wall, a grille opening in said bottom wall opposite said bridge, a loudspeaker disposed over said opening beneath said bridge and secured to said bottom wall, a power supply connector in one end wall connected to said amplifier, a recess in the opposite side wall, a panel mounted in said recess, amplifier controls and audio input jacks carried by said panel, spaced openings in said opposite side walls, receptacles in said container communicating with said openings, an extensible and retractable music stand and an extensible and retractable microphone mounted in said container, said music stand and said microphone being extensible through said openings when in operative position and being retractable into said receptacles when in inoperative position, electrical connections between said amplifier, loudspeaker, controls, jacks and microphone, a cover for said container hingedly mounted on said one side wall, a music receiving pocket carried by said cover, ventilating apertures in said cover, means to prevent opening said cover beyond a predetermined point and means to latch said cover in closed position.

2. A combination musical instrument case and public address system comprising an elongated container having a bottom wall, side and end walls, a compartment in one end of said container for receiving the body of a stringed musical instrument, said compartment being defined by opposed partitions conforming substantially to the shape of said body and secured to said container, said partitions terminating substantially midway of the length of said container in spaced parallel portions for receiving a portion of the neck of said instrument, a second compartment in the opposite end of said container for receiving the head of said instrument, said second compartment being defined by spaced partitions secured to said container, a"

bridge for receiving and supporting the remaining portion of said neck and comprising a channel member pivotally connected at one end of the parallel portions of said first mentioned partitions and detachably connected at the opposite end to the partitions forming said second compartment, said bridge being swingable to provide access therebeneath, an audio amplifier disposed in said container adjacent said bridge and secured to one side wall, a grille openirn in said bottom wall opposite said bridge, a loudspeaper disposed over said opening beneath said bridge and secured to said bottom wall, a power supply connector in one end wall connected to said amplifier, a recess in the opposite side wall, a panel mounted in said recess, amplifier controls and audio input jacks carried by said panel, spaced openings in said opposite side wall, receptacles in said container communicating with said openings, an extensible and retractable music stand and an extensible and retractable microphone mounted in said container, said music stand and said microphone being extensible through said openings when in operative position and being retractable into said receptacles when in inoperative position, electrical connections between said amplifier, loudspeaker, controls, jacks and microphone, a cover for said container hingedly mounted on said one side wall and means to latch said cover in closed position.

3. A combination musical instrument case and public address system comprising an elongated container having a bottom wall, side and end walls, a compartment in one end of said container for receiving the body of a stringed musical instrument, said compartment being defined by opposed partitions secured to said container, said partitions terminating substantially midway of the length of said container in spaced portions for receiving a portion of the neck of said instrument, a second compartment in the opposite end of said container for receiving the head of said instrument, said second compartment being defined by spaced partitions secured to said container, a bridge for receiving and supporting the remaining portion of said neck and comprising a channel member extending between said compartments and pivotally mounted at one end and detachably connected at the opposite end, said bridge being swingable to provide access therebeneath, an audio amplifier disposed in said container and secured thereto, a grille opening in said bottom wall opposite said bridge, a loudspeaker disposed over said opening beneath said bridge and secured to said bottom wall, a power supply connector in a wall of said container connected to said amplifier, amplifier controls and audio input jacks carried by the opposite side wall,

' "7 an opening in said opposite side wall, an extensible and retractable microphone mounted in said container, said microphone being extensible through said opening when in operative position and being retractable into said container when in inoperative position, electrical connections between said amplifier, loudspeaker, controls, jacks and microphone, a cover for said container hingedly mounted closed position. .r

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Dickerson Dec. 31, 1940 Weir Feb. 11, 1941 

